Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HWP) and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) today signed a Memorandum of Intent on a joint Partnership Program, aimed at promoting the development ...
Singapore, 22 May 2001 | For Immediate Release
Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HWP) and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) today signed a Memorandum of Intent on a joint Partnership Program, aimed at promoting the development of wireless applications in Singapore and Japan.
This initiative, the IDA-HP Mobile e-Services Bazaar (MEB) Partnership Programme, is the first Partnership Programme of the Overseas Business Centre (OBC) initiative in IDA's Wired With Wireless Programme. Singapore-based wireless developers are now able to tie-up with Japanese technology partners and benefit from the direct access to the corporate headquarters of global wireless players.
The partnership programme will leverage on HP's Tokyo Bazaar to facilitate the access of Singapore-based wireless companies to the technologically advanced Japanese market, and also enable the sharing of technology. Japan has been highly successful in the areas of wireless development and deployment of data. Hence, when Japanese operators launch 3G network services in October 2001, Singapore-based developers of mobile e-service solutions stand to gain tremendously from beta testing their applications on a live 3G network.
Mr Khoong Hock Yun, Assistant Chief Executive for Infocomm Development at IDA said, " We are committed to helping Singapore-based companies succeed in creating innovative mobile solutions. We value HP's demonstrated capabilities and success in their Mobile e-Services Bazaars, and welcome them as the first partner in our OBC initiative of the Wired With Wireless programme. Through this partnership, wireless developers in Singapore will be able to gain early access to the Japanese market as well as benefit from global expertise in wireless applications."
"HP identifies mobile e-services as the next wave in the wireless revolution in the Asia Pacific region. We believe e-services will help people and businesses in Singapore derive new value from the Internet and is a step in delivering rich context-specific e-services to anyone on the go," said Andrew Bolwell, Worldwide Director, Mobile e-Services Bazaar.
The program will support a minimum of five Singapore-based companies expanding into the Japanese wireless market for the first year. Japanese wireless companies will also be supported in the export of their technology into Singapore simultaneously. The criteria for selection will be the prospective company's business model and technology value, and any decision will be taken jointly by IDA and HP.
According to Kelvin Tan, Director of Mobile e-Services Bazaar, Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific, "With the rapid expansion in the mobile space in Asia Pacific, the partnership program serves to provide companies a live environment for incubating, and promoting wireless applications in the expansion of their Asia-Pacific businesses."
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is a dynamic organisation with an integrated perspective to developing, promoting and regulating info-communications in Singapore. In the fast-changing and converging spheres of telecommunications, information and media technologies, IDA will be the catalyst for change and growth in Singapore's evolution into a vibrant global info-communications technology centre. For more information, please visit www.imda.gov.sg.
About the HP Mobile e-Services Bazaar
HP's Mobile e-Services Bazaar is a dynamic marketplace of solutions and technologies for emerging mobile e-services. HP Bazaars are located in technology epicenters around the globe, including Helsinki, Finland, Silicon Valley and Singapore, with satellite offices in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Bangkok, Thailand, Beijing and Toronto. These regional centers of innovation are focused on connecting application providers, technology providers, carriers, venture capitalist, system integrators, and customers. Participants will be able to view and test new mobile e-services, join special interest groups, access relevant information and gain access to a constant supply of innovative, new solutions.
About HP
Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to individuals and businesses through simple appliances, useful e-services and an Internet infrastructure that's always on.
HP had total revenue from continuing operations of US$48.8 billion in its 2000 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that the market for the sale of certain products and services may not develop as expected; that development of these products and services may not proceed as planned; and other risks that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2000, and subsequently filed reports. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, HP's results could differ materially from HP's expectations in these statements. HP does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
About Wired With Wireless Programme
Initiated by the IDA with the aim to position Singapore as a living lab and business catalyst for wireless developments in Asia, the 'Wired With Wireless' programme promotes the development of mobile infrastructure, products and services. The three main areas of focus are location-based services, mobile commerce, and wireless multimedia. The objective of the programme is to create a vibrant wireless industry and position Singapore as having the best integrated wireline and wireless infrastructure. This will be accomplished through seven strategic thrusts i.e. Thought leadership, Manpower Development, Market Access Development, Technology Development, Infrastructure & Service/Product Development, Industry Adoption and Consumer Adoption.
For media clarification, please contact:
Kelvin Lee
Manager, Corporate Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Phone:+65 6211 1726
Email: kelvin_lee@imda.gov.sg
Pui-San Wong
Marcom Program Manager
Business Customer Organization Asia Pacific Hewlett-Packard
Tel: +65 6374-4841
Fax: +65 6275-6554
Email: pui-san_wong@hp.com
Yang Sook Chin or Wong Mei-Hwan
Edelman Public Relations for IDA
Tel: +65 6733-1110 ext. 235 / 201
Fax: +65 6733-5550
Email: scyang@edelman.com.sg or mhwong@edelman.com.sg
Sally Curtis
Weber Shandwick Worldwide for Hewlett-Packard
Tel: +65 6825-8039
Fax: +65 6822-8000
Email:scurtis@webershandwick.com
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